Get It Done Mama

Are you hesitant to bring the Elf on the Shelf into your home because of the naughty trends associated with it? You’re not alone. Since many parents are looking for ways to incorporate this fun tradition while keeping the focus on the true meaning of Christmas, I’ve gathered some ideas to help! So before banning the Elf on the Shelf completely, consider this Christian-themed Elf on the Shelf calendar of ideas! I’ve put together this guide to help families celebrate Advent with a daily dose of scripture and meaningful activities that remind us of the love, joy, and hope brought by the birth of Jesus.

Say goodbye to mischievous antics and hello to a spiritually enriching experience that your whole family will treasure, while still keeping it fun! Each day, your elf will bring a Bible verse and an engaging activity that highlights the importance of faith, kindness, and reflection during this special time of year. Transform the Elf on the Shelf tradition into a heartfelt celebration of the season for your family. Let’s make this Christmas not just magical, but truly meaningful. I hope these set of ideas brings your family joy and strengthens the spirit of Christmas in your home!

Day 1: Elf arrives with a tiny Bible and leaves a note saying how great it will be to prepare for Christmas by reading a verse at the start of each day!

• Setup: Place the Elf holding a mini Bible on a table with a hello letter to kick off the season.
  • Customize & print the hello letter

Day 2: Elf dressed as John the Baptist.

• Setup: Dress the Elf in a simple cloth to represent John and set up a “river” scene with blue paper or fabric on the kitchen counter or a play area.
• Bible Verse: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” — Mark 1:3

Day 3: Elf sets up a nativity scene.

• Setup: Position the Elf next to a nativity set, maybe adding a new figure to the scene each day.
• Bible Verse: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” — Luke 2:7

Day 4: Elf brings a paper chain craft.

• Elf suggested activity: Make a paper chain with Bible verses about Christmas.
• Setup: Lay out pre-cut strips of paper, markers, and a stapler or tape for making a Bible verse paper chain.
• Bible Verse: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” — Isaiah 9:2

Day 5: Elf with an angel ornament.

• Elf suggested activity: Make angel crafts.
• Setup: Place the Elf with an angel ornament and set out materials like paper, glue, and glitter for making angel crafts.
• Bible Verse: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” — Luke 1:30

Day 6: Elf with shepherd and sheep figures.

• Elf suggested activity: Make sheep from cotton balls.
• Setup: Arrange the Elf with toy shepherds and sheep, and provide cotton balls, glue, and black paper for kids to make their own sheep.
• Bible Verse: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” — Luke 2:8

Day 7: Elf brings bread ingredients.

Day 8: Elf suggests a kindness challenge.

• Elf suggested activity: Do a good deed for someone.
• Setup: Create a note from the Elf encouraging the children to do something kind for a family member or friend.
• Bible Verse: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” — 1 John 4:7

Day 9: Elf marks a star on Bethlehem map.

• Setup: Draw a simple map of Bethlehem on a piece of paper, place a star sticker, and position the Elf nearby.
• Bible Verse: “And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” — Matthew 2:9

Day 10: Elf with wise men figures.

• Elf suggested activity: Make homemade gifts to give to someone in need.
• Setup: Set up the Elf with toy wise men and craft supplies for making small gifts.
• Bible Verse: “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:11

Day 11: Elf with a Christmas tree ornament.

• Elf suggested activity: Make an ornament that represents eternal life.
• Setup: Place the Elf next to a simple ornament kit with instructions.
• Bible Verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

Day 12: Elf with star ornament craft kit.

• Elf suggested activity: Create your own star ornament.
• Setup: Position the Elf with a star ornament craft kit and lay out all needed materials.
• Bible Verse: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” — Matthew 2:10

Day 13: Elf encourages donating a toy.

• Elf suggested activity: Pick out toys or clothes to donate.
• Setup: Place the Elf near a toy box with a note suggesting picking a toy to donate to someone in need.
• Bible Verse: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” — Acts 20:35

Day 14: Elf reading a Bible storybook.

• Elf suggested activity: Read the Christmas story from a children’s Bible.
• Setup: Sit the Elf with a children’s Bible opened to the Christmas story.
• Bible Verse: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14

Day 15: Elf sets up a prayer station.

• Elf suggested activity: Write down your prayers and place them in a special box.
• Setup: Arrange the Elf with a small box, paper, and pens for writing prayers.
• Bible Verse: “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Day 16: Elf with baby Jesus figure.

• Elf suggested activity: Make a manger scene with craft materials.
• Setup: Position the Elf with craft materials and a baby Jesus figure to make a manger scene.
• Bible Verse: “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” — Luke 2:12

Day 17: Elf with Advent wreath.

• Elf suggested activity: Create a mini Advent wreath and light a candle each week.
• Setup: Place the Elf with a small wreath kit and battery-operated candles.
• Bible Verse: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” — John 8:12

Day 18: Elf near the Christmas tree.

• Elf suggested activity: Decorate the tree with lights.
• Setup: Put the Elf in the tree with some new lights or ornaments to add to the tree.
• Bible Verse: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16

Day 19: Elf holds a scroll with a prophecy.

• Elf suggested activity: Write or draw a picture of Isaiah’s prophecy.
• Setup: Position the Elf with a small scroll or piece of paper with the prophecy written on it.
• Bible Verse: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14

Day 20: Elf with “Joy to the World” sign.

• Elf suggested activity: Sing “Joy to the World” together.
• Setup: Set the Elf with a sign that says “Joy to the World” and the lyrics printed out for a sing-along.
• Bible Verse: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” — Psalm 100:1

Day 21: Elf making angel wings.

• Elf suggested activity: Make angel wings out of paper.
• Setup: Place the Elf with paper, scissors, and decorations to make angel wings.
• Bible Verse: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” — Luke 2:13-14

Day 22: Elf with “Follow the Star” sign.

• Setup: Arrange a star-shaped trail of paper stars leading from the Elf to a small surprise or treat.
• Bible Verse: “And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” — Matthew 2:10

Day 23: Elf wrapped in a blanket.

• Elf suggested activity: Make swaddling clothes for a doll or stuffed animal.
• Setup: Wrap the Elf in a small blanket and provide materials to make swaddling clothes for a doll.
• Bible Verse: “And Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” — Luke 2:7

Day 24: Elf throws a birthday party for Jesus.

• Elf suggested activity: Bake a birthday cake for Jesus and decorate.
• Setup: Set the Elf with cake ingredients and decorations, ready for a birthday celebration.
• Bible Verse: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11

Day 25: Elf with a note saying “Rejoice! Christ is born!”

• Elf suggested activity: Share the Christmas story with family and friends.
• Setup: Place the Elf with the completed nativity scene and a goodbye letter.
• Customize & print the goodbye letter